After giving the nation a massive oil discovery, Cairn India on Saturday began natural gas sales from its prolific Rajasthan block on borders with Pakistan even as it put another oilfield in the area on production.

Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily and Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot turned the valves to begin natural gas sales from the Raageshwari field to a fertiliser plant in Gujarat. Cairn and its 30 per cent joint venture partner ONGC will initially produce about 5 million standard cubic feet per day of gas, which will go up to a maximum of 1 mmscmd by next year.

Besides, Cairn-ONGC JV started production from Aishwariya oilfield, third of the famous MBA (Mangala-Bhagyam- Aishwariya) discoveries.

The field will initially add about 2,000 barrels per day to Rajasthan block’s current production of about 170,000 bpd. At peak, the field will produce 10,000 bpd which may be achieved by end of the year.

Mangala, the largest of the 25 oil and gas finds Cairn has made in the Barmer dessert block, was put into production in August 2009 and is currently producing about 150,000 bpd. Bhagyam, the second biggest find, is currently doing about 20,000 bpd.